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Burr Ridge trustees direct tighter e‑bike rules, add driver’s‑license requirement and 20 mph cap
Summary
After months of warnings and rising complaints, Burr Ridge trustees voted July 14 to direct staff to amend a local ordinance to require a driver’s license to operate Class 1–3 e‑bikes on village streets, impose a 20 mph speed cap, and add enforceable language on distracted operation; staff will return a revised draft for formal adoption.
Burr Ridge — The village board on July 14 directed staff to amend its motor‑vehicle ordinance to add a driver’s‑license requirement for Class 1–3 electric bicycles, impose a universal 20‑mile‑per‑hour speed cap for e‑bikes, and strengthen enforcement language on distracted and unsafe operation.
Evan (staff) and Police Chief (the chief) jointly presented the changes and said the draft reflects board feedback from a March ordinance that had already limited many powered devices. "We suggested three additions: a driver's‑license requirement for Class 1, 2 and 3 e‑bikes, a 20‑mile‑per‑hour cap and exemptions for accessibility devices," Evan told the board.
Chief officials described both an education campaign at local schools this fall and stepped‑up enforcement after receiving growing numbers of complaints. The chief said the department recorded rising contacts over recent years and noted: "In 2022 we received 14 bike complaints ... to date this year we've had 78; 51 incidents are gone by the time we arrive, 21 received warnings, and we've issued 3 citations so far." He told trustees the bulk of violations occur in and around the village center and parking garages—areas that are often private property and therefore limit police authority.
Trustees debated options including setting a minimum age, restricting e‑bikes by roadway posted speed, and whether a driver's‑license requirement would withstand state preemption in a non‑home‑rule municipality. "We are not home‑rule; we can't exceed state law," one trustee said, while another replied that the village could "stretch" local public‑right‑of‑way authority and defend reasonable limits if challenged.
Public commenters offered contrasting views. Faiza Coleman Salako, speaking for the cycling community and as a parent, urged education over stricter licensing: "There's nothing about a driver's license that would make that child or young adult a better operator of an e‑bike. What would be better is a free education class required for every child under the licensing age." Other residents urged parental accountability and more aggressive enforcement to protect pedestrians and older walkers in subdivisions such as Chasemore.
After discussion, a motion to amend the draft ordinance with the additions suggested by trustees was seconded and carried on roll call. The board directed staff to return an amended ordinance at the next meeting for formal consideration and possible adoption.
What's next: Staff will draft the ordinance language that incorporates the driver's‑license requirement, the 20 mph cap, lighting and distracted‑operation prohibitions, and exemptions for mobility devices; the revised draft will be presented to the board at a future meeting for formal vote.
